Many people head to this popular Buford Highway restaurant to indulge in big bowls of pho or plates of shaking beef, but make sure to try the wings here. These crispy wings carry a zippy, funky flavor embedded in the meat with a bit of heat from the sweet chile sauce glaze. Wings come with a side of white rice and pickled vegetables. Beyond pho, there’s no shortage of solid choices on the menu at Nam Phuong. There’s also a location in Norcross. Michelin listed Nam Phuong as a recommended restaurant to try on its Atlanta dining guide.

Specializing in Isan-style street food, this spot takes a modern approach to northeastern Thai cuisine while maintaining respect for the strong and fresh flavors that the region is universally known for. Their menu includes several types of papaya salads, larbs, Isan sour sausages, and a variety of grilled meats not often found in the typical, Westernized Thai restaurants around Atlanta. 

Located next to City Farmers Market, stroll up to the counter to order everything from shrimp and pork shumai and har gow (Cantonese shrimp dumplings) to sticky rice in lotus leaves, steamed chicken feet, turnip cakes, and other dim sum and specials here. There’s also a location in the food court at Great Wall Supermarket in Duluth.

A dumpling list in Atlanta couldn’t exist without this Buford Highway restaurant, and for good reason. The dumpling-heavy menu here features everything from baskets full of warm and savory soup dumplings to pork and fennel-filled fried dumplings. Try the pork and chive steamed dumplings or pork, shrimp, and chive fried dumplings, too. Don’t skip the Chinese crepes with crullers at breakfast or the cumin lamb, Mandarin pork belly and glass noodles, and chong ching spicy chicken. You can also order frozen dumplings to take home.

This Taiwanese restaurant is rarely empty. Order the three cups chicken, spicy sliced beef, beef tendon, and tripe plate, the dan dan dry noodles, or the shrimp, squid, and clam spicy seafood noodle soup. The Singapore noodles here are a good choice as is the lamb and leeks in a cilantro-laden hot bean sauce.

Located in the Pinetree Plaza shopping center, LanZhou Ramen serves heaping plates of hand-pulled noodles on its menu. Try the pork or oxtail noodles or order one of the soups like the duck or beef noodle soup, and watch the chef roll, twist, pull, and whip those noodles into shape through the window overlooking the kitchen. LanZhou also offers a variety of dumplings on its menu, including soup dumplings and fried potstickers. Michelin listed LanZhou Ramen as a recommended restaurant to try on its Atlanta dining guide.

Tucked in the back of Supermercado Chicago in the heart of Buford Highway, this hidden and unassuming taqueria serves up authentic tacos, tamales, and quesadillas. The staples here are offered all week long with specials on the weekends. Be sure to stop by the meat counter and take home a pound or two of their incredible, house made chorizo to cook up at home.

A long-time mainstay Mexican restaurant on Buford Highway, El Rey Del Taco is a loved spot for their variety of tacos & quesadillas ranging from carne asada and al pastor to rare delicacies such as lengua (beef tongue) and huitlacoche (corn fungus). Prepare for a wait during the evening and weekends but be assured it’s worth it because “The King of the Taco” stays open late with fantastic Mexican food and exceptionally strong margaritas.

Even though locally loved Granny Han, or “Halmoni (할머니)” has since retired from the kitchen at Stone Bowl House, the latest owners are honoring her legacy by utilizing the same delicious recipes and techniques to serve exceptional traditional Korean dishes.  Must try is their namesake “Stone Bowl” bibimbap paired with some of the city’s best banchan.

Masterpiece is a family-owned and operated Sichuan restaurant with dishes created by chef Rui Liu. From the Chongqing-style noodles and dry spicy eggplant to tea-smoked duck and shredded beef or pork with hot peppers, few things on the menu don’t come with a bit of heat. Masterpiece is worth the trek north from Atlanta and a great place to enjoy a family-style meal with friends.

Located behind a small commercial center off of Buford Highway, this long standing restaurant has a lot to offer. Even after some ownership changes in the past few years, Yet Tuh still holds a lot of popularity for their home-style cuisine and charming hospitality. It’s the place to go if you need a comforting bowl of tofu soup or a world-class Haemul-Pajeon (seafood pancake.)